READ A BOOK DAY

READ A BOOK DAY IS "OFFICIALLY" SEPTEMBER 6TH, BUT IF YOU'RE A 

BOOK LOVER LIKE ME EVERY DAY IS READ A BOOK DAY!

There are some things I just cannot part with…such as favorite books I read to the children in my classroom and my own children and grandchildren. Like anything, YOU add the magic to a book. If you love a book, then I can guarantee you that your enthusiasm will make your listeners love it as well.

This picture of Kalina and I reading together about ten years ago brought back a sweet memory.  I'd like to turn back the clock and do it again!  What a reminder to CHERISH childhood because children grow up so quickly. The world has changed, but when you share one of your favorite books with children, it's like time has stopped. 



It's important to remember to READ A BOOK AND LET IT BE!  You don't have to dissect every  book talking about the problem, resolution, beginning, middle, end, vocabulary, yada yada. You really can teach children everything with a good book!  But, you don't have to TEACH children with the books – they will just learn in a natural, meaningful, enjoyable way.

Here are some of my "oldies but goodies"!  Do you still read any of these?

Good books are like good friends that you want to visit again and again!

Step Into a Book
Children can take off their shoe and trace around their foot on construction paper. After cutting it out they can decorate it and use it as a bookmark.

*Let children do rubbings of the bottoms of their shoes and use these for bookmarks.

WHO IS MY TEACHER?

Teaching is a relationship between teachers, children, and families. Over the next few days I'll share activities that will nurture those positive feelings! You'll find some great ideas to help your children get to know you and for you to get to know them.

Brochure
Make a brochure about yourself, your school, and fun activities you have planned for the year and mail it to the children before school begins (or just give it to them the first day). To make a brochure, fold a sheet of paper into thirds. On the front section write “Welcome to your name’s Classroom!” On the left section place a picture of yourself and write some personal information about your family, pets, experience, etc. On the inside write “We’ll have a great year together…learning to read, experimenting in science, learning math, working on the computer, cooking, taking field trips, singing, etc.

                     

Paper Doll Teacher
Here’s something fun to make for your door to welcome the students. Lay on a large sheet of butcher paper and ask a friend to trace around your body. (You’ve probably done this to your children before.) Color yourself and cut yourself out. (Go ahead and take off a few inches if you want to!) Tape this on the door, and then make the following labels and attach them to the different body parts. “A head full of great ideas,” “A mouth to sing you songs and read you stories,” “Arms for hugging,” “Hands to help your learn new things,” “Pockets to hold surprises,” “Play shoes for outdoor fun,” and “A heart full of love for you!” 

Who Is My Teacher?
Make a book about yourself to read to the children the first day of school. Include a photograph of yourself as a child, family photos, pictures of pets, favorite foods, hobbies, why you enjoy teaching, etc. Let one child take the book home each evening to share with their families. (What a simple way to build a partnership with your parents!)

Hint! You might even ask each parent to make a similar book about his child to place in your classroom library.

What’s Your Bag?
Give each child a lunch sack at registration or the first day of school and ask them to put the wrapper from their favorite candy, something their favorite color, a picture of their family, the title of their favorite book, etc. in the bag. After sharing these objects with classmates, they can use them to decorate journals, make banners about themselves, etc. 

Getting to Know You

Give parents a form similar to the one below and ask them to fill it out for their child and return it the first day of school.  Put the pages together and make a book called "Getting to Know You" that you can read to the class.  Let one child take home the book each evening to share with their  parents.

Winnie the Pooh

I'm one of the biggest Pooh fans ever.  This cartoon had multiple meanings for me.  First of all, I know most of you would NOT like to go to page one and do it again.  However, I hope you have the strength and JOY at the end of this new school year to feel like Pooh and Piglet.  I pray that this will be your best year ever!!!!